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Iphone 5s won't activate

I restored my girlfriends phone completely. Turned off find my iphone first. Now I am on the setup screen and it won't activate. SIM card is installed and unlocked. Wifi connection. But it still not activating.

iPhone 5s

Posted on Jul 22, 2019 10:39 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jul 22, 2019 10:41 AM

If you can't activate your iPhone

If your iPhone can't be activated or an alert says the activation server is unavailable or the SIM card is unsupported, learn what to do.


Check these things first

Still need help? Use the next section.


Follow these steps

  1. Check the list on the System Status page. If the box by iOS Device Activation isn't green, try to activate your iPhone later.
  2. If asked to enter your password as you activate your iPhone, enter the password. (A password prompt means that Activation Lock might be enabled in Find My iPhone.)
  3. Restart your iPhone.
  4. If you're using a cellular data connection, connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network instead. 

If you still can't activate, here's how to activate your iPhone through iTunes instead:

  1. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes.
  2. Check that your computer has an Internet connection.
  3. Open iTunes on your computer. With the cable that came with your iPhone, connect your iPhone to your computer.
  4. Wait while iTunes detects and activates your iPhone: 
    • If iTunes shows, "Set up as New" or "Restore from Backup," it means that iTunes activated your iPhone. 
    • If an error in iTunes says that the SIM card isn't compatible, contact your carrier.


Get more help

  1. To check for network or activation issues and see if you need to replace your SIM card, contact your carrier
  2. Use recovery mode to restore your iPhone

If restoring your iPhone still doesn't work, contact Apple Support.



If you can't activate your iPhone - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201407

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 22, 2019 10:41 AM in response to Vince.C

If you can't activate your iPhone

If your iPhone can't be activated or an alert says the activation server is unavailable or the SIM card is unsupported, learn what to do.


Check these things first

Still need help? Use the next section.


Follow these steps

  1. Check the list on the System Status page. If the box by iOS Device Activation isn't green, try to activate your iPhone later.
  2. If asked to enter your password as you activate your iPhone, enter the password. (A password prompt means that Activation Lock might be enabled in Find My iPhone.)
  3. Restart your iPhone.
  4. If you're using a cellular data connection, connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network instead. 

If you still can't activate, here's how to activate your iPhone through iTunes instead:

  1. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes.
  2. Check that your computer has an Internet connection.
  3. Open iTunes on your computer. With the cable that came with your iPhone, connect your iPhone to your computer.
  4. Wait while iTunes detects and activates your iPhone: 
    • If iTunes shows, "Set up as New" or "Restore from Backup," it means that iTunes activated your iPhone. 
    • If an error in iTunes says that the SIM card isn't compatible, contact your carrier.


Get more help

  1. To check for network or activation issues and see if you need to replace your SIM card, contact your carrier
  2. Use recovery mode to restore your iPhone

If restoring your iPhone still doesn't work, contact Apple Support.



If you can't activate your iPhone - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201407

Iphone 5s won't activate

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